Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2007-08: Evan Oberg appeared in 24 of 36 games as a freshman for the University of Minnesota-Duluth. He scored 1 goal with 2 assists and was -16 with 10 PMs for the Bulldogs, who finished 8th in the ten-team WCHA.

2008-09: Oberg had a break-out season offensively in his sophomore season for much-improved Minnesota-Duluth. Oberg skated in all 43 games as the Bulldogs won the WCHA Conference Tournament and reached the NCAA West Regional final. He had 7 goals with 20 assists and was +5 plus/minus. Oberg scored 5 of his 7 goals on the power play and also accumulated 50 PMs. Oberg was signed to an entry level contract by Vancouver in April 2009; foregoing his final two years of NCAA eligibility.

2009-10: Oberg made his NHL debut appearing in single games in January and April while spending the majority of his first pro season in the AHL with the Manitoba Moose. In the two games with the Canucks he was scoreless while averaging just over six minutes of ice time. In 70 games with the Moose he scored 3 goals with 23 assists and was -13 with 64 PMs.

2010-11: Oberg again appeared in two NHL games with Vancouver while spending most of the season in the AHL. Oberg played in back-to-back games in February for the Canucks, playing about ten minutes in each with an even plus/minus. Oberg was traded to Florida at the 2011 NHL trade deadline and was sent to the Panthers' AHL affiliate Rochester. In 38 games with Manitoba he scored 6 goals with 5 assists and was -7 with 28 PMs. Oberg appeared in just five games for Rochester, suffering a season-ending neck injury after being checked from behind. He scored 1 goal with 1 assist and was +1 for the Amerks.

2011-12: Oberg appeared in three NHL games with the Lightning after being acquired from Florida in a December 2011 trade. Oberg saw just three shifts and 1:12 minutes of ice time in his first game with the Lightning, a January contest against Columbus. He played in back-to-back games in February and was plus-two; averaging 14 minutes of ice time. He spent most of the season in the AHL; playing 42 games with Lightning affiliate Norfolk after skating in 12 contests for San Antonio before the trade. He finished with 7 goals and 18 assists and was plus-13 with 46 penalty minutes in 54 AHL games. Oberg played in all 18 playoff games for Norfolk and was plus-two with 2 goals and 8 assists. He was re-signed as a restricted free agent to a one-year contract by the Lightning in July, 2012.

Talent Analysis

Aside from his offensive instincts, Oberg’s value stems from his ability to make a good first pass and to effectively read plays as they develop. He is a slender, puck-moving defenseman who has shown potential both at the University of Minnesota-Duluth and at the AHL level.

Future

Oberg can become a middle-pair defenseman in the NHL. He will spend more time at the AHL level, working on positioning and defensive play while continuing to sharpen his offense.

Photo: Richard Panik (14) is one of several talented forwards the Tampa Bay Lightning have in their minor league system. (Minas Panagiotakis/Icon SMI)

It seems that, as a general manager, Steve Yzerman can do no wrong. In his first year as the Tampa Bay Lightning's GM, Yzerman made a number of shrewd moves that helped put the team into the playoffs, and while they finished outside of the playoffs this past season, Yzerman has continued to build a winning system.